Nuss procedure aid
View Patent ↗A method for treating pectus excavatum includes making an incision in the chest of a patient, inserting, via the incision, a device comprising a sensor configured to measure force at a face disposed proximate a first end of the device, manipulating the device such that the face of the device engages a sternum of the patient, displaying, on the electronic display of the device, measurement data based on a reading taken by the sensor during the engagement of the face of the device with the sternum of the patient, and determining, based on the displayed measurement data, a number of bars to install in the patient's chest, and inserting, via one or more incisions, the determined number of bars into the patient's chest in such a manner as to push out the patient's sternum and maintain the patient's sternum in a pushed out condition.
1. A method for pushing out a sternum of a patient, comprising:
inserting a device into a chest incision of the patient, the device comprising a sensor configured to measure force at a face disposed proximate a first end of the device, a handle disposed at a second, opposite end of the device, and an electronic display disposed at the handle, the electronic display being configured to display measurement information based on readings taken by the sensor;
positioning the inserted device to engage a face of the device to the sternum;
obtaining a reading by the sensor when the face of the device is engaged to the sternum;
displaying, on the electronic display, measurement data based on the reading;
determining, based on the displayed measurement data, a number of bars to install in the patient's chest; and
inserting, via the incision and/or one or more other incisions, the determined number of bars into the patient's chest in such a manner as to push out the patient's sternum and maintain the patient's sternum in a pushed out condition.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the sensor comprises a pressure sensor.
3. The method of claim 1 , wherein displaying measurement data comprises displaying a measurement of force in Newtons.
4. The method of claim 1 , wherein displaying measurement data comprises displaying a measurement in pounds.
5. The method of claim 1 , wherein displaying measurement data comprises displaying a measurement in kilograms.
6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the handle comprises a non-absorbent material.
7. A method for pushing out a sternum of a patient, comprising:
inserting a device into a chest incision of the patient, the device comprising a sensor, a handle and an electronic display;
positioning the inserted device to engage a face of the device to the sternum;
obtaining a reading by the sensor when the face of the device is engaged to the sternum;
displaying, on the electronic display, measurement data based on the reading;
determining, based on the displayed measurement data, a number of bars to install in the patient's chest; and
inserting, via the incision and/or one or more other incisions, the determined number of bars into the patient's chest in such a manner as to push out the patient's sternum and maintain the patient's sternum in a pushed out condition.
8. The method of claim 7 , wherein the sensor comprises a pressure sensor.
9. The method of claim 7 , wherein displaying measurement data comprises displaying a measurement of force in Newtons.
10. The method of claim 7 , wherein displaying measurement data comprises displaying a measurement in pounds.
11. The method of claim 7 , wherein displaying measurement data comprises displaying a measurement in kilograms.
12. The method of claim 7 , wherein the handle comprises a non-absorbent material.
13. A method for pushing out a sternum of a patient, comprising:
inserting a device into a chest incision of the patient, the device comprising a sensor, a handle and a communications interface configured to communicate sensor data based on sensor readings;
positioning the inserted device to engage a face of the device to the sternum;
obtaining a reading by the sensor via the communications interface when the face of the device is engaged to the sternum;
determining, based on the displayed measurement data, a number of bars to install in the patient's chest; and
inserting, via the incision and/or one or more other incisions, the determined number of bars into the patient's chest in such a manner as to push out the patient's sternum and maintain the patient's sternum in a pushed out condition.
14. The method of claim 13 , wherein the sensor comprises a pressure sensor.
15. The method of claim 13 , wherein displaying measurement data comprises displaying a measurement of force in Newtons.
16. The method of claim 13 , wherein displaying measurement data comprises displaying a measurement in pounds.
17. The method of claim 13 , wherein displaying measurement data comprises displaying a measurement in kilograms.
18. The method of claim 13 , wherein the handle comprises a non-absorbent material.